Choke dummy and method for strengthening the muscles used in performing a guillotine choke

ABSTRACT

Disclosed is a strength training dummy for use in strengthening those muscles used in performing a guillotine choke. The dummy may have the form and dimensions of a man&#39;s head, neck, shoulders and upper torso. The dummy provides resistance to a user who pulls or lifts the dummy in a guillotine choke, beyond the weight of the dummy, when the dummy is attached to a weight. For example, the dummy may have a spine attached to a cable of a weight machine having an adjustable weight load. As the user becomes stronger in performing the guillotine choke, the dummy&#39;s resistance can be increased up to the weight machine&#39;s maximum load, to challenge the user. Instead of being attached to a cable, the dummy may attach to an extender bar that attaches to a free weight. The extender bar has a bend proximate to its attachment point with the dummy&#39;s spine. The extender bar&#39;s bend and length create a fulcrum to increase the difficulty of lifting a weight attached to the opposite end of the extender bar.

RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of priority to provisional patent application Nos. 61/294,484 filed on Jan. 13, 2010, 61/305,004 filed on Feb. 16, 2010 and 61/361,515 filed on Jul. 5, 2010, and hereby incorporates them by reference in their entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a strength training apparatus and method for strengthening the muscles used in performing chokes and throws. More specifically, the invention relates to a strength training dummy having a specialized spine attachable to a weight, that a fighter lifts to strengthen the muscles employed in executing a guillotine choke.

2. Description of the Related Technology

Mixed martial arts (hereinafter “MMA”) is a popular sport that utilises elements of various fighting styles (e.g. boxing, muay that kickboxing, wrestling, and jiujutsu).

A common strategy is for one opponent (Opponent #1) to attempt to take another opponent (Opponent #2) down to the mat by means of a “double leg takedown”, where Opponent #1 will then seek to gain a dominant position to “ground and pound” (i.e. mount and beat) Opponent #2 into submission.

However, during an attempted double leg takedown, Opponent #1's arms are extended, leaving his head, neck, and upper body vulnerable to Opponent #2's counterattack (e.g. a flying knee or counter grapple). One of the most commonly used counter grapple techniques is a “guillotine choke”. This choke cuts off an opponent's ability to breath, causing the opponent to surrender (i.e. “tap out”), or be rendered unconscious.

A popular execution of the guillotine choke includes Opponent #2 encircling Opponent #1's exposed neck and throat with his right arm, while simultaneously grabbing his own right wrist with his left hand, and pulling the right forearm sharply up against Opponent #1's throat using the muscles of both arms, shoulders, back, hips and legs.

There are many types of training dummies that are used for practicing throws, punches, and grappling techniques on. Some are shaped like a traditional punching bags, others are shaped like a human (e.g. U.S. Pat. No. 6,139 to Picotte, hereinafter “Picotte”).

However, a drawback to each of the prior art dummies is that their weight is fixed, and there is no way to conveniently increase the dummy's weight resistance as a fighter becomes stronger. The result is that over time the dummy becomes too light relative to the fighter's increased strength. For example, Picotte's grappling dummy weigh's approximately 40 pounds, a weight many MMA fighters can easily lift with one arm. Whereas, the maximum weight of a weight machine's adjustable weight load is commonly between 250-400 pounds. Additionally, heavier throwing dummies are stiff, and do not flex to simulate an opponent's neck caught in a guillotine choke.

Therefore remains a need to provide a dummy for strengthening a fighter's guillotine choke technique, whose weight can be easily increased as the fighter gains strength and provides resistance that simulates an opponent caught in a guillotine choke.

SUMMARY OF CERTAIN INVENTIVE ASPECTS

The present invention solves the above described problems and provides a distinct advance in the art of strengthening the muscles used in a guillotine choke.

In one embodiment, the invention provides for a dummy for increasing the strength of a guillotine choke, comprising a dummy having a body with a longitudinal axis, the dummy having a spine substantially aligned with the longitudinal axis of the dummy; and the dummy capable of being lifted in a guillotine choke when attached to a weight.

In another embodiment the invention provides a strength training dummy, comprising a dummy having a longitudinal axis, the dummy having no spine, the dummy having an attachment point on the outside of the dummy, the attachment point further being capable of being attached to a cable of a weight machine; and the dummy capable of being lifted in a guillotine choke.

In another embodiment, the invention provides for a method of strengthening the muscles used in a guillotine choke, comprising a user holding a strength training dummy in a guillotine choke, wherein the dummy is further attached to a weight load; and the user lifts the weight load by performing a guillotine choke on the strength training dummy.

Other aspects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments and the accompanying drawing figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A-FIG. 1C are diagrams that illustrate several views of an example of a strength training dummy having a spine that is attachable to a weight outside of the dummy.

FIG. 1D is a diagram of detail of a spine and a metal piece that attaches to it and extends through the dummy's bottom, to attach to an extender bar, or cable of a weight machine outside the dummy.

FIG. 2A-FIG. 2C are diagrams that illustrate views of exemplary dummies having a cylindrically styled strength training dummy, each having a spine that is attachable to a weight outside the dummy.

FIG. 3 is a diagram that illustrates a view of an example of a cylindrically shaped dummy, which includes an attachment point that is inside the dummy.

FIG. 4 is a diagram that illustrates a view of an example of an external construction of a dummy having a ring that is attachable to a cable of a weight machine.

FIG. 5A-FIG. 5B are diagrams that illustrate several views of an example of an extender bar that is attachable to a spine of a strength training dummy.

FIG. 6A-FIG. 6B are diagrams illustrating an exemplary dummy, such as that of FIG. 2C, in use.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF CERTAIN EMBODIMENTS

The various features and methods of the invention will now be described in reference to the drawings in which the various elements of the present invention will be given numerical designations and in which the invention will be discussed, so as to enable one skilled in the art to make and use the invention It is to be understood that the following description is only exemplary of the principles of the present invention, and should not be viewed as narrowing the claims.

The present invention provides a strength training dummy having a spine that is attachable to a weight at an attachment point. The attachment point may be inside the dummy (e.g. when the spine is accessed via an aperture in the dummy), or it may be outside of the dummy. The dummy is capable of being held by a user in a guillotine choke, and the user then lifts the attached weight by practicing a guillotine choke on the dummy. As used herein, the word “lift” includes a user moving a weight while practicing a guillotine choke on the choke dummy. For example, the user having attached a free weight to the dummy's spine (with a sufficiently long cable so that the weight is on the ground at a safe distance from the user), the user, while seated on the ground, may hold the dummy in a guillotine choke and arch backwards, choking the dummy and dragging the weight across the ground towards the user.

In a preferred embodiment, the strength training dummy's spine is located approximately along the dummy's longitudinal axis, and is made of two straight bar shaped segments of material (a first segment and a second segment), each segment having two ends. In an alternate embodiment, the spine, or segments thereof, may be a different shape (e.g. the segment of the spine located in the head of the dummy may be round).

In a preferred embodiment, the spine's two segments will be joined together by a flexible means that connects the first segment's second end to the second segment's first end. The flexible means may be made of any suitable material (e.g. rope, chain, roller chain, cable, strap, rubber tube, string steel, plastic ties, etc.), or a combination of them, of sufficient strength to keep the spine's two segments joined, when the user repetitiously uses the dummy to lift a weight. In an alternate embodiment, the joining means may be semi-rigid or rigid.

In an alternate embodiment, the spine may be comprised of one segment.

In yet another alternate embodiment, the spine may be made of more than two segments.

In yet another alternate embodiment, the spine may be comprised of two or more segments bound together (e.g. parallel segments bundled together with a band, a sleeve, glue, tape or other binding means).

In yet another alternate embodiment, the dummy may have no spine, or may have a spine that does not protrude out of the dummy. In this embodiment the dummy may have an attached (e.g. a metal ring), or detachable means (e.g. a karabiner) that is located on the dummy's bottom, and is substantially aligned with the dummy's longitudinal axis. The means is attachable to a cable of a weight machine having an adjustable weight load/stack.

The material used for the spine can be any suitable material of sufficient strength that will support the repetitious lifting of a weight. For example, the spine's material may be made of steel, plastic, rubber, fiberglass, wood, rope, or a combination of them. Additionally, the spine's segments may be solid, hollow (e.g. a tube), or have both hollow and solid segments. Further, the spine may be made of a bundle of solid and/or hollow segments.

The material covering the strength training dummy may be any durable natural or synthetic material (e.g. material used for throwing dummies or punching bag), or a combination of them. In a preferred embodiment, the covering material will be smooth to the touch and durable (e.g. leather). In an alternate embodiment, the covering material may rubberized, (e.g. neoprene) to give it a more “flesh-like” appearance, and/or feel. In an alternate embodiment, the dummy's covering may be made of two or more layers of material. For example, the dummy may have a strong, but rougher, inner layer (e.g. marine vinyl) and a smoother, outer layer (e.g. leather).

In a preferred embodiment, when the strength training dummy has a neck, the length of the joining means may be substantially aligned with the dummy's neck. In this way, when a user lifts or pulls the dummy with his/her forearm in a guillotine choke, the dummy's neck will bend and pull (when attached to a weight), to simulate an opponent resisting the user by trying to pull away from the user's guillotine choke.

The spine of the strength training dummy may visibly protrude from an aperture in the bottom of the strength training dummy, where it is attachable to a cable of a weight lifting machine having an adjustable weight load/stack. For example, the spine's protruding portion may have one or more holes as an “attachment point”, so that a spring link, carabiner, anchor shackle, etc. can join the cable of a weight machine to the protruding portion. As the fighter gains strength, additional weight can be added to the stack.

In an alternate embodiment, the spine may not protrude from the dummy, but instead a separate segment that is attached to the spine, may protrude through the aperture in the dummy bottom. For example, when the second length of the spine is hollow, a separate segment (made of a suitably durable material, e.g. steel) may fit inside the second length's second end and be attached to the spine by a fastener. In this way, a manufacturer, could keep material costs down, by using more costly stainless steel (or chrome, etc.) for the separate (protruding) segment/piece, but use a duller finished metal for the spine itself.

In an alternate embodiment, a user may use a detachable means (e.g. a karabiner) that attaches to the dummy (e.g. to the dummy's spine) through an aperture in the dummy's bottom. In this embodiment, when the attachment point is inside the dummy, the user can easily undo the detachable means, so that the dummy can be used like a conventional dummy when it is not being used to lift weights in a guillotine choke. In an alternate embodiment, the aperture may be located elsewhere on the dummy (e.g. dummy's back, or side). For example, in this alternate embodiment, the user might attach a weight to the dummy's side to practice a hip throw on the dummy, to better place the resistance where the user would feel it in a real fight.

In an alternate embodiment, the spine may attach to an “extender bar”. The extender bar is comprised of a length of material having a bend and two ends. A first end has an attachment point to attach to the spine's attachment point (e.g. by means of one or more quick release pins), and a second end that is attachable to a weight, or a cable that is attached to a weight.

In a preferred embodiment, the extender bar will have a length greater than the length of the dummy. However, in an alternate embodiment, the extender bar may be shorter or longer than the length of the dummy. The extender bar will have a bend, proximate to its attachment point to the spine. When attached to the spine, the bend and length of the bar act as a fulcrum to increase the resistance of an attached weight. In an alternate embodiment, the extender bar may be straight, and instead, the spine may have the aforesaid bend to create a fulcrum when attached to the extender bar.

The extender bar may attach to the dummy's spine, by means of one or more “quick release pins” that may be inserted through holes in the extender bar that are aligned with holes in the spine. This and other methods (e.g. wire lock pins, etc.) for quickly attaching/detaching components are well known by those of ordinary skill in the art, and not discussed further herein.

In a preferred embodiment, the bend of the extender bar will have a fixed angle of approximately 135 degrees. However, the angle may be an angle in a range, the range being from 91 to 179 degrees. In an alternative embodiment, the angle of the bend of the extender bar will be adjustable (e.g. a range from 91 degrees to 179 degrees).

In a preferred embodiment, the dummy will have the shape of an adult male's upper body (e.g. head, neck, shoulders, chest and upper torso), to provide a “life-like” feel to the user, when the user performs a guillotine choke on the dummy. In an alternate embodiment, the dummy may additionally have a full torso, arms, and legs (e.g. a freestyle, judo or grappling dummy).

In yet another alternate embodiment, the strength training dummy may be cylindrically shaped (e.g. an “economy dummy”), having a flexible portion capable of bending when a user performs a guillotine choke on it. For example, when the dummy has two or more segments (e.g. corresponding to an opponent's head, neck and upper body), a segment, will be flexible, and will bend like a neck when the user lifts a weight attached to the dummy.

Exemplary embodiments of the present invention will hereinafter be described with reference to the figures, in which like numerals indicate like elements throughout the several drawings.

Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to FIG. 1A-1C, there is shown FIG. 1A a front view, FIG. 2A a side view and FIG. 3A a perspective view of a strength training dummy 100, having a specialized spine 101 that is substantially aligned along the longitudinal axis 102 of the dummy 100 and is attachable to a weight (not shown).

In an alternate embodiment, the spine 101 may be substantially aligned anywhere along the sagittal plane (not shown) inside the dummy 100.

In a preferred embodiment, the dummy 100 will have the shape of an adult human male's head 103, neck 104, and upper torso 105.

The dummy may be stuffed with any suitable punching bag stuffing (not shown) (e.g. shredded cloth, foam, etc.).

In a preferred embodiment, the spine 101 is made of two lengths of material, a first length 106 and a second length 107. In a preferred embodiment, at least 50% of the first length 106 is located in the head 103 of the dummy 100. In this way, when a user places the dummy 100 in a guillotine choke, the first length of 106 will give the head 103 a stiffer feel, to simulate the feel of the bones in a live opponent's face/head. In a preferred embodiment, the second length's 107 second end 108 protrudes through an aperture 109 in the dummy's bottom 110, and has one or more holes 115 through it, to attach an extender bar 500, or a cable of a weight machine 601.

The aperture 109 through which the second length 107 protrudes may be recessed (not shown), or hidden in a slit (not shown) in the dummy's bottom 110. For example, when a dummy has legs, the slit may be located between the dummy's legs. A recessed hole, or slit, that completely covers the protruding end 108 of the spine 101, and/or an attaching means (not shown), will allow the dummy 100 to be used as a conventional dummy when it is unattached to a cable 601 or a weight.

The protruding end 108 is attachable to a cable of a weight machine having an adjustable weight stack (not shown), by any suitable connecting means (e.g. a screw lock carbine, snap end with a swivel, etc.).

The dummy may have a plate 111 that is located inside the dummy 100, that keeps the spine 101 substantially aligned with the longitudinal axis 102 of the dummy 100, and protects the dummy bottom 110 from being torn during use by dissipating the stress from the weight attached to the protruding end 108. The spine 101 may be further attached to the plate 111 by any suitable means. For example, the spine 101 may attach to the plate 111 with a bracket (not shown), or welded to the plate.

FIG. 1D shows detail of an alternate embodiment of the spine 101, where the second segment 107 is hollow (e.g. a steel tube), and a metal piece 112 (e.g. shim) may be attached (e.g. by a fastener(s) not shown) in the end of the second segment 107. The metal piece 112 may protrude through both an aperture 109 in the plate 111 (not shown) and the dummy bottom 110, so a weight may be attached to it. For example, an extender bar 500 may connect to one or more holes 113 of the metal piece 112 by means of quick release pins when it protrudes from the aperture 109 in the dummy's bottom 110.

A joining means 114 inside the dummy 100 has a length and joins the first length 106 to the second length 107. In a preferable embodiment, the joining means 114 is proximately located in the neck 104 of the dummy 100. When the joining means 114 is proximately located in the neck 104 of the dummy 100, it may be aligned with the user's forearm, when the user performs a guillotine choke on the dummy 100.

A spacer (not shown), prevents the first length 106 and second length 107 from coming into contact with each other, and may cover the joining means 114 partially or completely. Additionally, the spacer may prevent the head 103 from being folded onto the dummy's torso 105 (e.g. over adducting) during a guillotine choke. The spacer may be made of any suitable material that is flexible and strong (e.g. rubber, plastic, etc.).

The joining means 114 is substantially aligned with the longitudinal axis 102 of the dummy 100.

In a preferred embodiment the joining means 114 will be flexible. However, the joining means 114 may be semi-rigid, rigid, or a combination of flexible, semi-rigid, or rigid segments.

In an alternate embodiment, the dummy 100 may have one or more cavities (not shown), where an accessible bar(s) is attached permanently (or is temporarily affixed by screwing it into the spine 101. A free weight may be attached to the bar by a spring collar (for example). In a preferred embodiment, the bar intersects the spine 101 along the coronal plane (not shown) of the dummy 100, in an approximate ninety-degree angle. In yet another alternate embodiment, the dummy 100 may have a cavity in the dummy bottom 110, where the spine 101 is configured to attach a free weight thereto.

FIG. 2A-FIG. 2C illustrate a cylindrically shaped strength training dummy 200. FIG. 2A is a front view of a cylindrically shaped strength training dummy, FIG. 2B is a perspective view of a cylindrically shaped strength training dummy. FIG. 2C is a cylindrically shaped strength training dummy, further styled like a throwing dummy. Each has a spine 101 that is attachable to a weight. When the dummy 200 is cylindrically shaped, it may have segments that represent an adult male's head 201, neck 202 and upper torso 203. The neck section 202 is flexible to simulate an opponent's neck. The flexible section 202 may be identified by having a different color, shade, etc. than the head 201 and/or body 203 section. The body 203 of the dummy 200 will remain substantially aligned with the user's transverse plane 602 when the flexible section 202 is lifted by the user in a guillotine choke.

The cylindrically shaped strength training dummy 200 may have a bolt 204 secured by a nut that passes through the second length 107 to keep it from slipping through the plate 111.

FIG. 3 Illustrates a cylindrically shaped dummy 300 having an aperture 301 that an attachment means (e.g. carabiner) may pass through to attach a cable of a weight machine, other weight, to the spine 101 inside the dummy 300.

FIG. 4 In another alternate embodiment, the dummy 400 may have a ring 401 attached to the dummy's bottom 110 that is substantially aligned with the longitudinal axis 102 of the dummy 400 and attaches to a cable 601 of a weight machine.

FIG. 5A-5B shows two views of an extender bar 500. An attachable extender bar 500 may attach to the spine 101 at attachment points (e.g. holes) 505 by one or more pins 501. The opposite end of the extender bar 502 has a means (e.g. cable 504) to attach a free weight (not shown). In an alternate embodiment the attachment bar 500 may have a hollow first end (not shown) that slides over the protruding portion of the spine 108 and attaches to it by a pin that slides through aligned holes of the spine 115 and extender bar 500. This and other methods for attaching two components are well known by those of ordinary skill in the art, and not discussed further herein.

The extender bar 500 has a bend 503 near the extender bar's 500 attachment point 505. The bend's 503 angle may be an angle at or between 91 to 179 degrees. The bend 503 of the extender bar 500 and its length create a fulcrum when a weight is attached to the extender bar's end 502.

FIG. 6A-FIG. 6B illustrates an exemplary dummy, such as that of FIG. 2C, in use by a fighter lifting the dummy in a guillotine choke, when it is attached to a cable 601 of a weight machine (not shown). The dummy's body 203 is substantially aligned with the user's transverse plane 602, when the user lifts the dummy in a guillotine choke.

Thus, the strength training dummy provides a training device that will increasingly challenge a user as the user gains strength in practicing a guillotine choke.

The described embodiments of the invention are only considered to be preferred and illustrative of the inventive concept, the scope of the invention is not to be restricted to such embodiments. One skilled in the art may devise various and numerous other arrangements without departing from the spirit and scope of this invention.

It is therefore intended by the appended claims to cover any and all such applications, modifications and embodiments within the scope of the present invention. 

1. A dummy for increasing the strength of a guillotine choke, comprising: a dummy having a body with a longitudinal axis, the dummy having a spine substantially aligned with the longitudinal axis of the dummy; and the dummy capable of being lifted in a guillotine choke when attached to a weight.
 2. The spine of claim 1, further comprising an attachment point accessed via an aperture in the dummy body.
 3. The spine of claim 1, further comprising an attachment point outside of the dummy body.
 4. The weight of claim 1, further being attached to an additional segment attached to the spine, wherein the additional segment protrudes through an aperture in the dummy bottom.
 5. The spine of claim 1, further comprising a single length of material having two ends.
 6. The spine of claim 1, further comprising two lengths of material, each length having two ends.
 7. The spine of claim 6, further comprising a joining means inside the dummy that joins the two lengths together.
 8. The joining means of claim 7, further being substantially aligned with the two lengths
 9. The joining means of claim 7, further being located in a flexible section of the dummy.
 10. The joining means of claim 7, further being substantially aligned to the user's forearm when the user performs a guillotine choke on the dummy.
 11. The body of claim 1, further being substantially aligned with the user's transverse plane when a user practices a guillotine choke on the dummy.
 12. The weight of claim 1, where the weight is a group, the group comprising: a free weight, a cable attached to a free weight, an extender bar; and a cable of a weight machine having an adjustable weight stack.
 13. The extender bar of claim 12, further comprising: a length of material having two ends, a first end and a second end, an attachment point; and a bend, proximate to the attachment point.
 14. The extender bar of claim 13, further acting as a fulcrum when the first end is attached to the dummy, and the second end is attached to a weight.
 15. A strength training dummy, comprising: a dummy having a longitudinal axis, the dummy having no spine, the dummy having an attachment point on the outside of the dummy, the attachment point further being capable of being attached to a cable of a weight machine; and the dummy capable of being lifted in a guillotine choke.
 16. The attachment point of claim 15, further being substantially aligned with the longitudinal axis of the dummy
 17. The attachment point of claim 15, wherein the attachment point is a group, the group comprising a karabiner, an anchor shackle, a ring, and a quick link.
 18. A method of strengthening the muscles used in a guillotine choke, comprising: a user holding a strength training dummy in a guillotine choke, wherein the dummy is further attached to a weight load; and the user lifts the weight load by performing a guillotine choke on the strength training dummy.
 19. The method of claim 18, wherein the dummy further comprises a flexible section.
 20. The method of claim 18, wherein the weight load is adjustable to provide increased resistance as the user becomes stronger. 